Hocking Hills Herping with High School Students

[tspuckler]

This weekend I accompanied the Independence High School Biology Society on their annual Spring Trip. The destination was Hocking Hills, located in south-central Ohio. This year the club is celebrating 50 years of exploring nature's wonders. "Back in the day" when I was a high school student, I was a member of this club. It's been a cool, rainy Spring, but that didn't stop 18 students from making the trip and checking things out.

Along the way Redbud was in bloom and easy to see from quite some distance.

After checking in, I took a quick walk behind our cabin and several types of wildflowers were in bloom as well, like Spring Beauty.

And Ohio's State Wildflower, White Trillium.

I checked out this little creek.

Two-lined Salamanders can be found on a pretty reliable basis in this area.

Big millipede.

Slimy Salamanders were present as well.

In the evening the students went on a night hike and found these species, as well as Dusky and Longtail Salamanders.

On the following day I checked out this lake.

A Bullfrog that apparently didn't like the available natural habitat and decided to live in a canoe.

Tiger Swallowtail

 

[tspuckler]

There were lots of Midland Painted Turtles out basking; the temperatures for the trip were in the 60s and 70s in the daytime.

This Snapping Turtle was kickin' it with the other turtles, enjoying the sunny weather.

Zebra Swallowtail.

One of the students, Graham, caught a Musk Turtle.

The reptile was sporting some impressive barbels on its chin.

The rustlings of Eastern Towhees could often be heard in the woods around the perimeter of the lake.

Northern Ringneck Snake.

One of my favorite butterflies, a Mourning Cloak.

That evening I gave a short presentation on the creatures that had been found so far. That night I gave a longer presentation/slideshow on life in the Mojave Desert.

Ash Cave.

 

[tspuckler]

Mr. Maretka, the high school's biology teacher, points out Squirrel-corn growing along the trail.

Squirrel-corn.

Five-lined Skink.

Dusky Salamander.

The students hiked the woods...

...and explored the creeks.

Dan thought everything was A-OK.

A Redback Salamander that had kind of an "airbrush look" to it.

Virginia Bluebells.

Cedar Falls.

There are some cool rock formations to be checked out.

 

[tspuckler]

And if you're lucky, you might even find a bat.

Adam, Pat, Jen and Claire use the power of teamwork to roll a few logs.

Our efforts were rewarded with this sweet-looking Red Salamander.

Jen thought it was awesome.

This could have been the highlight of the trip, but the students weren't done investigating.

They turned up a fish that I didn't even know existed - a Stream Lamprey.

It was a great weekend for millipedes, if you like that sort of thing (and who doesn't?).

This Luna Moth was found at the end of the final hike of the trip.

It was a great weekend to be out exploring Ohio's natural wonders.

 

[chris68]

As always, thanks for sharing these great pics Tim

 

[kc261]

Awesome pics. So good to see young folks getting "unplugged" and enjoying the outdoors.

 

[Buzzard]

Looks like you had lots of fun....thanks for sharing.

 

[airenlow]

Nice finds! We saw lots of salamanders around here last weekend.

 

[Chip]

Awesome photos, but this one sticks with me:

Ash Cave.

What a beautiful spot on the planet to photo, Tim! Kudos for educating our young people, and for sharing.